Iron and Magic (The Iron Covenant #1) by Ilona Andrews

Blurb:

No day is ordinary in a world where Technology and Magic compete for supremacy…But no matter which force is winning, in the apocalypse, a sword will always work. 

Hugh d’Ambray, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, served only one man. Now his immortal, nearly omnipotent master has cast him aside. Hugh is a shadow of the warrior he was, but when he learns that the Iron Dogs, soldiers who would follow him anywhere, are being hunted down and murdered, he must make a choice: to fade away or to be the leader he was born to be. Hugh knows he must carve a new place for himself and his people, but they have no money, no shelter, and no food, and the necromancers are coming. Fast. 

Elara Harper is a creature who should not exist. Her enemies call her Abomination; her people call her White Lady. Tasked with their protection, she's trapped between the magical heavyweights about to collide and plunge the state of Kentucky into a war that humans have no power to stop. Desperate to shield her people and their simple way of life, she would accept help from the devil himself—and Hugh d’Ambray might qualify. 

Hugh needs a base, Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies? 

As the prophet says: “It is better to marry than to burn.” 

Hugh and Elara may do both. 

My review:

Iron and Magic (The Iron Covenant #1) by Ilona Andrews is a spin-off that takes place in the world of the Kate Daniels series. This story features Hugh d’Ambray a guy that Kate respected for his skill but hated because he killed Voron and chased her and basically put her through hell just because her biologic father told him to. Well Roland has let Hugh and his Iron Dogs go and they are floundering a bit. Follow Hugh as he struggles to let go of the past and create a new future for himself and his company. It won’t be easy but nothing worth having is.

I loved seeing another side of Hugh and Elara is strong enough to kick butt and take names. They are fun together something I never thought I’d find myself saying about Hugh. A terrific start can’t wait for more.

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A Study In Shifters (The Adventures of Marisol Holmes #1) by Majanka Verstraete

A Study In Shifters (The Adventures of Marisol Holmes #1) by Majanka Verstraete

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Marisol Holmes may be the great-great-great granddaughter of Sherlock Holmes, but it’s hard to live up to the family name when only one mistake can spell your downfall. After trusting the wrong guy in a case gone totally wrong, Marisol convinces the Conclave, an underground organization of detectives solving supernatural cases, to give her a last chance to prove her worth, and maybe even heal her broken heart.

After all, as a half-blood jaguar shifter, Marisol is uniquely qualified to solve this murder—and every scrap of evidence points toward the culprit being a fellow jaguar shifter. But is one of her own people involved, or is this all a ploy to kick Marisol’s mother off the shifter throne?

Then Marisol discovers her best friend, Roan, is missing, and maybe the killer’s next target. The stakes just got higher than political intrigue. Just when things couldn’t get worse, Marisol’s ex-boyfriend-turned-nemesis, Mannix, starts leaving sinister clues for her. Marisol fears this case might be far more personal than she could’ve imagined. 

It’s time for Marisol to prove her worth, or her people could fall into chaos while her best friend loses his life.

My review:

A Study In Shifters is a terrific start to a new series that I very much look forward to. Marisol Holmes is a human/jaguar shifter hybrid and she uses both halves to solve crime. Her mind is drawn to puzzles just like her ancestor Sherlock Holmes. She even has her own Moriarity in the form of a wolf shifter named Mannix. This story is a labyrinth of clues and misdirections and an overall great read.

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Ruff Justice (Melanie Travis #22) by Laurien Berenson

Blurb:

As owner of prize-winning Poodles, Melanie Travis knows how to handle fierce competition. But when a conformation show turns deadly, it’ll take every trick in the book to outsmart a murderer who refuses to lose . . .
 
With the excitement of the spring dog show season sweeping Connecticut, Melanie is determined to help her son finally lead his Standard Poodle toward a championship title. Aunt Peg even skips the judging panel to exhibit a pup of her own, and she’s set on standing out from the pack with a handmade leash from Jasmine Crane, a talented canine portrait artist who also crafts stunning accessories for discriminating show-goers. Jasmine’s handiwork is to die for—but Aunt Peg didn’t expect to discover the woman murdered behind the concession booth, strangled by one of her dazzling custom creations . . .
 
Another shockwave ripples through the close-knit show community when Amanda, Aunt Peg’s longtime dog sitter and a renter on Jasmine’s property, ominously vanishes that same day. While nosing around for clues, Melanie suspects a dangerous connection between Amanda’s disappearance and the homicide case—a hunch that grows as her investigation reveals sketchy secrets about the late artist. Juggling a demanding teaching job, the pressures of the show ring, and a daunting suspect list, Melanie finds herself entangled in a mindboggling murder mystery . . . and hot on the trail of a desperate killer . . .

My review:

Ruff Justice is a sweet and sassy cozy mystery and though it is part of a series it can be read stand alone. Melanie Travis is a multi-tasker, she is a wife and mom, she houses four standard poodles and a mutt, she is a tutor at a high class school and she is an amateur sleuth. This story lets us follow her trail while she juggles all her roles. I really enjoyed the ride. I did find myself googling various dog breeds to see what they looked like while reading this story.

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Built to Last (Black Knights Inc. #12) by Julie Ann Walker

Blurb:

Masterful, mysterious, and completely ruthless, Jamin “Angel” Agassi joined the Black Knights Inc. after a mission-gone-wrong forced him to undergo extensive plastic surgery and change his name. He's going to bring down the world's worst crime syndicate, and hopefully keep Sonya Butler, a love from his past, from discovering who he really is...

When a dark-eyed stranger gets caught up in Sonya’s latest mission, she starts to question all her hard-won instincts. Something about Angel tells her he's more than he seems, and sometimes, when she least expects it, he reminds her of a man she used to know. As the bullets fly, she realizes that in love and war nothing is ever what it seems...

My review:

In this the final? Black Knights Inc. installment Angel and Ace find their happys and we finally find out who the Spider is and take him down. Angel is mysterious and gorgeous and the Knight we know little of. Boy oh boy what we didn’t know. Ace is in love with Rusty but refuses to be with a guy who won’t come out of the closet. Been there done that. The mission to bring down Spider once and for all brings all kinds of secrets out of the closet maybe Rusty will come out too. I’ve really enjoyed this series and hope that the hint of a spin-off is true. If not I can still re-read and hang out with the Knights.

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Inked Nights (Montgomery Ink #8.5) by Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

Tattoo artist, Derek Hawkins knows the rules:
One night a month.
No last names. 
No promises.

Olivia Madison has her own rules:
Don’t fall in love.
No commitment.
Never tell Derek the truth.

When their worlds crash into each other however, Derek and Olivia will have to face what they fought to ignore as well as the connection they tried to forget.

My review:

BREAK OUT THE TISSUES! You just know that Derek and Olivia are ready for more. But secrets and fear keep them from being together for more than one night a month of steamy sex. This story will drag you through an emotional wringer and out the other side. Carrie Ann Ryan has done it again.

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Cake and Punishment (A Southern Cake Baker Mystery #1) by Maymee Bell

Blurb:

In the first of a delectable new Southern-set baking cozy series, Sophia Cummings, pastry chef extraordinaire, must craft the perfect cake for an old friend’s wedding while sifting through the suspects in a murder.

Bucolic Rumford, Kentucky has glowing fields of bluegrass, a fine selection of bourbons, and now a professional pastry chef. Broken-hearted Sophia Cummings has come home from New York City. She’s not there a minute before she’s charmed into making her high school friend Charlotte’s wedding cake. The kitchen at the Rumford Country Club seems perfect until Chef Emile’s body is discovered, sprawled near the stove, a cast iron skillet on the floor close by.

With one look at the shiny, new frying pan, Sophia knows it’s not Emile’s. She offers her knowledge to Sheriff Carter and her talents to Evelyn, the manager, who needs an interim chef. The mood in the country club is grim: Emile’s peppery personality had burned members and staff alike. Sophia wonders which one of them burned him?

Perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke and JoAnna Carl, Cake and Punishment―with authentic Southern recipes!―will satisfy your sweet tooth. 

My review:

Cake and Punishment is the first in a fun new southern cozy mystery series and I am looking forward to hanging out with Sophia and friends again soon. This book played hell with my diet and I’m sure I drooled a time or two and not just over the hunky sheriff. The mystery kept me guessing and Sophia kept me smiling what more could you ask for.

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Intended Bondmates by D. Lieber

Blurb:

No one said guarding a faeling from bloodthirsty vampires would be easy. In fact, Runa trained all her life to protect her intended bondmate, Konner, until he could awaken his full magic.

She was looking forward to her time with the young fae until tragedy shattered her plans. For the last thirteen years, she’s been bound with Mikhail. Neither of them was happy with the arrangement, but she never thought he’d request to unbind from her early.

When all hope of Runa fulfilling her rite and joining werewolf society is threatened, Konner comes through and agrees to become her bondmate.
But Konner hasn’t forgiven her for abandoning him. And Rowan, bound with Konner’s brother, is hostile toward the fellow werewolf who left him to protect two faelings alone.

As Runa tries to make up for her past betrayals, forbidden thoughts and urges imperil all of their futures.

My review:

Intended Bondmates is a sweet and interesting paranormal romance that certainly puts our hero and heroine through hell trying to get to the other side. This story twists and turns and throws a couple of surprises in for good measure. I really enjoyed.

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Edge of Humanity (Only Human #5) by Candace Blevins

Blurb:

Book five of the ONLY HUMAN series...

Abbott agreed to let Kirsten seek revenge on Gavin, and she hopes doing so before she pulls away from the supernatural community will make others hesitant to come after Kirsten or her family.

Before Lauren goes away to college, Kirsten wants to be sure she’s done all she can to prepare her daughter. They take a trip to China, and Kirsten hopes she can get her old teacher to train her daughter. However, when they arrive, things aren’t as they should be.

In China, the Lion Dance and Dragon Dance are ubiquitous, and the Monkey King frequently plays a part in both. Kirsten is friends with the Lion King and Dragon King, and despite the fact this has nothing to do with the legendary Chinese lion or dragon, the implications are far-reaching once she’s back in China.

My review:

Edge of Humanity gives us a peek at Kirsten’s past and takes her another step away from humanity. We get a look at both the softer and harsher sides of Kirsten. We feel her incredible capacity to love and the lengths she will go to protect same. I really enjoyed this glimpse into Kirsten and can’t wait to see where her journey takes her next.

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Dance of the Heart (Muse Chronicles #6) by Lisa Kessler

Blurb:

He's willing to lay down his life, to save hers...

Tera Muldoon not only runs her own dance studio, but she's also secretly the human vessel for the Muse of Dance. Having her name at the top of an immortal's hitlist isn't helping her social anxiety issues, but everything changes the day she hires a bodyguard.

Gavin Thompson is the best at what he does, and when his security company is hired to protect a dance instructor, he thinks it's business as usual. But no one warned him being with Tera would blur the lines between personal and professional interests. What started out as a job might be his only chance at a future he never dreamed possible.

They just need to live to see it.

The Prophecy - "Every generation the nine daughters of Zeus are reborn, and with their rebirth are also nine Guardians. They will be marked by the gods, and given gifts to protect his treasure. Their abilities will only be unlocked when they find their muse."

My review:

Dance of the Heart may be my favorite of the series to date. Tera has survived a stage mother, an eating disorder and dancing on the Metropolitan Opera’s stage. Now she has a Greek Titan gunning for her. She may need a little help. When the guy she’d crushed on from afar during her high school days turns up as not only her bodyguard but turns out to be her fated Guardian she is tickled.

I love that Tera is stronger than she knows and that Gavin is perfectly flawed. Their dance gave me shivers of delight.

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Undercover SEAL (SEALs of Coronado #4) by Paige Tyler

Blurb:

He’s everything she should fear… 
Bristol Munoz’s life has never been typical. Or safe. Raised by her father, a Mexican drug lord who murdered her mother, Bristol knows she’s nothing but a bargaining chip to her father. He’ll give her to the man most able to further his cartel’s powerful holdings, and her life will go from bad to worse. Her only hope is to try another escape…Then he arrives. He’s different than the other men in her father’s compound, but no less dangerous. Maybe more so, because she’s attracted to him. 

But all she really wants. 
Working undercover for the CIA was not how Navy SEAL Nash Cantrell wants to spend his time. But keeping missiles out of the wrong hands is something he can handle. However, he didn’t count on part of his mission involving getting close to Bristol. He can’t afford to like her, but can’t stop himself. She’s a commodity her father won’t let go easily. When his cover is blown, Nash has to stop the deal—and save Bristol. 

When the plan goes wrong and Bristol is kidnapped, Nash will break every rule to get her back. 
Or die trying. 

My review:

Navy SEAL Nash Cantrell is the kind of hero everyone can love. He isn’t a player he is just a good guy trying to do a hard job. That job puts him in a lot of dangerous  situations but this is the first time his heart has been on the line. Bristol is in a bad place but help is on the horizon from an unlikely direction. Watching these two find each other made my heart happy.

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Lala Thankyou: Dark Homecoming by Erica Gerald Mason

Blurb:

MURDER IS A DRAG...

From the outside looking in, Lazarus Mercy has it all. He’s a fan favorite on a reality tv show, his career as drag queen Lala Thankyou has never been better, and he’s learned to hide his introversion from his adoring fans…until he’s framed for a murder he didn’t commit.

OUT OF TOWN, OUT OF LUCK, UNDER SUSPICION...

Desperate to prove his innocence, Lazarus turns to an old friend to help bring the true killer to justice. Knowing the police are on his tail, Lazarus must let his stage persona loan him the bravery he needs to solve the crime. ---can Lazarus fight his inner demons...while fighting for his life?

My review:

You can’t go home again. Lala Thankyou: Dark Homecoming by Erica Gerald Mason is a short, sweet murder mystery starring Lazarus Mercy and his drag queen persona of Lala Thankyou. Lala is much more self-confident than Laz and it’s going to take all her gumption to figure out why she’s been framed for murder. I fell for Lala and hope to see her in many more adventures.

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A New Orleans Threesome (The Vampire, The Witch and The Werewolf #2) by Louisa Bacio

A New Orleans Threesome (The Vampire, The Witch and The Werewolf #2) 

by Louisa Bacio

Blurb:

Haunted by paranormal abilities she can't control and plagued by nightmares about a demon that seeks her soul, Lily Anima travels to New Orleans in search of salvation. She enlists the help of an unlikely couple: a vampire, Lawrence Justice, and a werewolf, Trevor Pack. The attraction is immediate and fierce.

There's only one problem.

Lily's a virgin. And whatever paranormal problem she's having is what has kept her that way. Every time she's tried to do the deed, something stops her.

Together, the trio encounters magic and unspeakable evil, and Trevor and Lawrence attempt to help Lily turn her powers into a gift rather than a curse. Ultimately, to get the demon off her back, Lily's men will have to show her all the wicked ways the three of them can come together.

Warning: Read at your own risk. This book is filled to the brim with steamy m/m sex, a virgin who wants in on the action, and a c*ckblocking demon.

My review:

m/m/f

A New Orleans Threesome is a terrific paranormal romance. There is action, adventure and love. I love that NOLA was as much a character in the book as Law, Trevor and Lily. This book is a sweaty romp.

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Born of Air (Dragon Soul #4) by Sean Michael

Blurb:

Meet the Beteferoce brothers: five dragon shifters, each with a strong elemental power. And each with a fierce desire to find his soul mate… 

He said he was flying on a silver dragon. He called me “Markus-meine.” Who would know all that? Who? And how?

SWAT cop and dragon shifter Mark Beteferoce had—and lost—a soul mate. He’s finally at the point where he can get through the days without thinking about what used to be…until he tastes Quincy O’Brien’s doughnuts and takes him home to play. 

Quincy O’Brien is a gifted baker, but at night he dreams of soaring through the sky on dragonback and being topped by the perfect Dom. Mark satisfies the kinky urges Quincy has only explored in his subconscious, pushing his limits and caring for him afterward.

From the start, their connection was more than sexual. It’s known; it’s familiar somehow. And it’s slowly driving Mark insane. What shouldn’t be possible most certainly is, and the bond between himself and Quincy runs deeper than either of them could ever have realized.

My review:

m/m

Dragon shifter Mark Beteferoce lost his soul mate years ago and never expected to find another. Baker Quincy O’Brien was supposed to be a one night stand but turned into so much more. This story is a lot of hot sex with BDSM elements and very little story. It is part of a series but stands on its own.

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Order of Protection (Courting Justice #1) by Lexi Blake

Blurb:

A sexy and suspenseful new contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake where love and law entwine for a conviction of the heart.

To high-end defense attorney Henry Garrison, Win Hughes is a woman he met during one of the most trying times of his life. She's soft and warm, and he finds solace in their brief relationship. But Win has a secret. She's actually Taylor Winston-Hughes—born to one of the wealthiest families in the country, orphaned as a child by a tragic accident. Win moves in the wealthiest circles, but her lavish lifestyle hides her pain.

When her best friend is murdered in the midst of a glittering New York gala, Win's charged with the crime, and the only person in the world she wants to see is Henry.

Henry is shocked at the true identity of his lover, but he can't reject the case. This trial could take his new firm into the stratosphere. Still, he's not getting burned by Win again. And yet every turn brings them closer together.

As the case takes a wild turn and Win's entire life is upended, she must look to the people she's closest to in order to find a killer. And Henry must decide between making his case and saving the woman he loves... 

My review:

Order of Protection is a sexy contemporary that feature two lost souls with trust issues. Henry is rebuilding his life after a disastrous marriage and a stint in rehab for alcohol abuse. Win has other issues including eating issues. These two are terrific together if they can get past their issues.  I really enjoyed this fast paced, steamy story.

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Savage Hunger (Savage Shifters #3) by Milly Taiden

Blurb:

Isaline Primrose doesn’t let anyone cut the line at her mom’s bakery, no matter how tall or sexy he his. His custom suit, expensive haircut, and deep brown eyes are making her want things. Very dirty things. It’s totally fine to look even if he is a bossy jerk. But is it okay to have naked fantasies with the commanding business man?
Beast Harte doesn’t do small towns, but Full Moon Bay has something other towns don’t: the perfect building for his deceased father’s long-time dream. When he meets his mate, life should be perfect. It isn’t. Pissing her off was not in his plans, but he wasn’t used to taking orders, only giving them. Now he has his work cut out for him.
Isaline sets up some challenges to see if Beast is the right man for her. What neither knows is other players are at work with their own hidden agendas. Beast guarantees two things—he's getting his mate and his building, and he won’t let anyone get in his way.

My review:

Savage Hunger is sweet, funny and sexy. He is a big time city billionaire. She is a small town girl who works at her momma’s bakery. She doesn’t care who he is rude is rude and she lets him know about it. He is smitten. Nobody treats him like regular folk. He is used to folk kowtowing because he is the boss, rich and intimidating. He is also a dragon shifter. He does have a softer side which we get to see in this fun tale. Isa has a fun backstory too. This is my new favorite Milly Taiden couple.

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Ocean Light (Psy-Changeling Trinity #2) by Nalini Singh

Blurb:

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh dives beneath the surface of her Psy-Changeling world into a story of passionate devotion and selfless love...

Security specialist Bowen Knight has come back from the dead. But there's a ticking time bomb in his head: a chip implanted to block telepathic interference that could fail at any moment--taking his brain along with it. With no time to waste, he should be back on land helping the Human Alliance. Instead, he's at the bottom of the ocean, consumed with an enigmatic changeling...

Kaia Luna may have traded in science for being a chef, but she won't hide the facts of Bo's condition from him or herself. She's suffered too much loss in her life to fall prey to the dangerous charm of a human who is a dead man walking. And she carries a devastating secret Bo could never imagine...

But when Kaia is taken by those who mean her deadly harm, all bets are off. Bo will do anything to get her back--even if it means striking a devil's bargain and giving up his mind to the enemy... 

My review:

Nalini Singh is one of my all time favorite storytellers. She could write a phonebook and I would buy it. Ocean Light is a prime example of why that is so. Flawed characters who are trying to make their bit of the world better. Fighting fate. Love. Honor. Excitement. And most importantly a well crafted story.

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BAM

Ain't She a Peach? (Southern Eclectic #2) by Molly Harper

Blurb:

An Atlanta ex-cop comes to sleepy Lake Sackett, Georgia, seeking peace and quiet—but he hasn’t bargained on falling for Frankie, the cutest coroner he’s ever met.

Frankie McCready talks to dead people. Not like a ghost whisperer or anything—but it seems rude to embalm them and not at least say hello.

Fortunately, at the McCready Family Funeral Home & Bait Shop, Frankie’s eccentricities fit right in. Lake Sackett’s embalmer and county coroner, Frankie’s goth styling and passion for nerd culture mean she’s not your typical Southern girl, but the McCreadys are hardly your typical Southern family. Led by Great-Aunt Tootie, the gambling, boozing, dog-collecting matriarch of the family, everyone looks out for one another—which usually means getting up in everyone else’s business.

Maybe that’s why Frankie is so fascinated by new sheriff Eric Linden...a recent transplant from Atlanta, he sees a homicide in every hunting accident or boat crash, which seems a little paranoid for this sleepy tourist town. What’s he so worried about? And what kind of cop can get a job with the Atlanta PD but can’t stand to look at a dead body?

Frankie has other questions that need answering first—namely, who’s behind the recent break-in attempts at the funeral home, and how can she stop them? This one really does seem like a job for the sheriff—and as Frankie and Eric do their best Scooby-Doo impressions to catch their man, they get closer to spilling some secrets they thought were buried forever.

My review:

OMG! I LOVED THIS STORY! Ain't She a Peach? is a sweet sometimes silly sometimes sad small town romance that will leave you believing in possibilities. Eric is a big city cop who has moved to tiny Lake Sackett and runs into a one night stand he hasn’t been able to forget. Franky is a quirky character in her small town. With rainbow hair, eclectic clothes and attitude to spare Frankie takes her job as mortician and coroner very seriously. Now she has to work with the hunk she ran out on.  Can the big city cop and the country mouse put their differences aside and learn to get along. I can tell you it won’t be easy but it can be done.

Well done.

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Whiskey Reveals (Whiskey and Lies #2) by Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

One whiskey-saturated night turns into something far more in the second standalone installment of the bestselling Whiskey and Lies series from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan.

Fox Collins likes his life just the way it is. His siblings are falling in love all around him, but he’d much rather focus on his next story than on a serious relationship. However, when his latest one-night stand returns to Whiskey—this time for good—he’ll need to learn to trust his instincts to figure out if he can live without her in his life.

Former dancer Melody Waters is finally ready to settle down in her grandmother’s small Pennsylvania hometown. Bad decisions and fateful nights have changed her path more than once, but now she’s focused on one thing: opening her new own dance studio. But fate is a funny thing, and once again, she’ll be forced to learn that actions have consequences and some repercussions can not only change your life forever, they can also come back to haunt you…one broken promise at a time.

My review:

Whiskey Reveals shows the softer side of love. Fox is not an alpha male but he feels the same things an alpha male does sometimes. Melody is as messed up as any other woman but stronger than she knows. These two may not have started out the right way but I just know they are going to end up just fine together. This is a really sweet romance with some smoking hot sex thrown in for fun. Fox may very well be my favorite Collins brother. Like the others this book can be read standalone but will send you rushing to read the others.

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